Fraud

How Criminals Use Social Engineering Scams to Steal Your Money

Why Smart People Fall for Scams

If you've ever watched a news story about someone losing thousands of dollars to a scam and wondered, "How could that happen?" you're not alone. But fraud victims aren't careless or unintelligent. Looking for spelling mistakes, suspicious links or emails from “Nigerian princes” just isn’t enough anymore.

Today's fraudsters are experts at creating urgency, earning your trust and manipulating your emotions before you have time to think.

Fear, excitement, curiosity, love and even the desire to help someone can all cloud our judgment. That's exactly what scammers are counting on.

To protect yourself, you first need to understand how scammers use human psychology to get their way.

What is Social Engineering?

Social engineering is the practice of manipulating people into giving away their money, personal information or access to their devices or financial accounts.

Instead of hacking your computer, scammers are trying to hack your trust.

Artificial intelligence has made these scams more convincing than ever.

MC26-The Formula of a Scam-1920x1080-FINAL-100

Common Types of Social Engineering Scams

Phishing Scams

Phishing is when a scammer uses text messages, emails or fake websites to commit fraud.

You may receive a message claiming:

Your package couldn't be delivered
Your account has been locked
Your financial institution detected fraud
Immediate action is required

These messages often contain links leading to fake websites designed to steal usernames and passwords or install malware on your device.

Some red flags to look out for are urgent requests, unexpected links, requests to log in immediately or threats that your account will be closed.

Vishing (Voice Phishing)

Vishing is phishing over the phone.

A scammer may claim to be calling from your financial institution and ask you to:

Verify your debit or credit card number
Confirm your online banking username or password
Provide a one-time security code
Share your two-factor authentication code

Legitimate financial institutions will never ask for your online password or secure authentication codes over the phone.

If you ever feel unsure, hang up and call the organization directly using a trusted phone number.

Spoofing Scams

Spoofing allows scammers to disguise themselves as trusted organizations by making:

Caller ID appear legitimate
Emails look authentic
Website addresses resemble real companies

But just because something looks legitimate doesn't mean it is.

Always verify before responding.

MC26-Phishing vs Vishing-1920x1080-FINAL-100

How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Scams

Artificial intelligence has dramatically changed the fraud landscape.

Instead of poorly written emails full of spelling mistakes, scammers can now use AI to generate professional emails, convincing text messages, fake websites, human-like conversations, realistic photos and even clone voices.

These tools make scams much harder to recognize.

Types of AI Scams

Deepfake Scams

Deepfakes use artificial intelligence to create fake audio, videos and images.

Imagine receiving a phone call that sounds exactly like your child asking for emergency money.

Unfortunately, that voice may have been cloned using recordings from social media videos or voicemail greetings.

Before sending money during an emergency, verify the situation through another trusted method.

AI Chatbot Scams

Artificial intelligence can also power chatbots that carry on realistic conversations for weeks or even months.

Unlike traditional scams, these bots can answer questions naturally, build relationships, remember previous conversations and communicate with hundreds of victims simultaneously.

Many victims never realize they're speaking with artificial intelligence.

Relationship Scams

Relationship scams, often called romance scams, are one of the most emotionally devastating schemes scammers use.

They often begin on dating apps, social media or even through a random "wrong number" text message that turns into weeks or months of conversation.

Scammers use that time to earn your trust before asking for financial help.

Some common excuses include family emergencies, travel expenses or investment opportunities.

Victims believe they're helping someone they genuinely care about.

Types of Relationship Scams

Catfishing Scams

Catfishing involves creating a fake online identity.

Scammers may steal photos from real people or generate entirely fake images using AI.

Some criminals even impersonate celebrities, social media influencers or public figures.

After building credibility, they eventually ask followers for money or introduce fake investment opportunities.

Pig Butchering Scams

Pig butchering scams combine relationship building with investment fraud.

The scammer spends weeks or months earning a victim's trust before introducing a "can't miss" investment opportunity, usually involving cryptocurrency.

To the victim, everything appears legitimate:

Professional-looking website
Growing account balances
Impressive investment returns

The profits, however, are fake.

When victims try to withdraw their money, they're told they must first pay taxes, processing fees or withdrawal charges.

After collecting those additional payments, the scammer disappears.

How to Protect Yourself From Scams

Technology will continue to evolve and scammers will continue adapting.

Before clicking a link, sending money or sharing personal information:

Stop - Don't let urgency make decisions for you.
Verify - Contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number or website.
Question - Ask yourself:
“Is this request unexpected?”
“Am I being pressured?”
“Why can't this wait?”
Talk to Someone - If something feels off, discuss it with a trusted friend or family member before acting.
Protect Your Personal Information - Be mindful of what you post publicly online. Photos, videos and voice recordings can all be used to create convincing AI scams.

The best defense isn't becoming a cybersecurity expert; it's slowing down before reacting.

Where to Go for Fraud Help

The more you understand how these scams work, the easier it becomes to recognize the warning signs and protect yourself, your loved ones and your hard-earned money.

To learn more about fraud prevention resources and what to do if you think you’ve been targeted, visit our Fraud Center.

See All Articles

How Does Gas Price Impact Your Summer Vacation

Jun 30, 2026

Share this news story:

Make Summer Travel More Affordable

June marks the start of summer vacation season, but this year’s travel planning is happening in a vastly different economic environment. With inflation still pressuring household budgets and gas prices climbing across much of the U.S., many families are taking a closer look at what a trip will really cost before they pack the car. The good news? A few smart choices before you leave, and along the way, can help keep more money in your pocket.

Get the Most from Every Fill-Up

Rising gas prices are one of the most noticeable ways the economy affects daily life. As summer demand increases, even routine road trips can feel more expensive before they begin. Federal tracking showed the U.S. average at about $4.50 per gallon in the latest update, while AAA’s daily average recently moved above that level. That means efficiency matters more than ever. Start with the basics: check your tire pressure before you hit the road, remove heavy items you don’t need, and avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking. Maintaining a steady speed and using cruise control when conditions allow can help improve fuel economy over long drives.

Also consider timing and routing. Planning your fill-up stops before you leave can reduce last-minute, high-priced purchases near tourist areas. Gas price comparison apps such as GasBuddy or Mudflap can help you find lower-priced stations nearby and along your route.

Understand the “Hidden” Costs of Fuel

When fuel costs rise, they don’t just affect your drive, they can influence prices throughout the travel experience. Higher energy costs often ripple into airfare, lodging, food, and entertainment, which is one reason many consumers are feeling stretched in today’s economy. Recent inflation data showed overall prices rising 3.8 percent year over year, with energy going up sharply and gasoline going up even more. A simple strategy is to prioritize what matters most: set a daily spending target for fun extras, look for bundled attraction passes, and consider free or low-cost local options such as parks, festivals and community events to balance bigger-ticket activities.

How Ascentra Can Help

If you’d like added flexibility for summer plans, Ascentra Credit Union offers options that may help you manage cash flow. A personal loan can be a way to cover planned expenses, like a family trip, with predictable payments. Prefer to plan ahead? A club savings account can help you set aside money throughout the year for seasonal spending. And if an unexpected expense hits at the wrong time, Skip-A-Payment may allow eligible members to defer a loan payment (processing fees and restrictions apply).

Bottom Line

Every trip has its own challenges, but a little planning can go a long way. Map your route and fill-up locations, use available tools to compare prices, and practice fuel-smart driving habits. Whether you’re traveling far, staying close, or enjoying a staycation, Ascentra is here to help you make summer more affordable, and more enjoyable.